Pen pocket

ABSTRACT

A flexible writing utensil enclosure that provides for the safe storage and transportation of writing instruments while not in use. Specifically, the invention consists of a pocket device whereby writing instruments are placed in an enclosure formed by two opposite facing attached wall member forming a pocket. Once writing instruments are inserted into the pocket, a foldable flap is secured to an opposite wall member thereby providing an enclosure which may be placed in a clothing pocket, purse or briefcase for storage and transport by a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is a non-provisional application of theprovisional patent application Ser. No. 60/244,156 filed on Oct. 28,2000, and entitled “Pen Pocket.” The present application claims the Oct.28, 2000 filing date of provisional patent application Ser. No.60/244,156.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a flexible container for writinginstruments that provides for transporting and storing pens and pencilsin a stylish enclosure which is easily inserted into and carried in aperson's clothing pockets, briefcase or purse.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Many attempts have been made over the years to provide useful andunique devices for holding small objects during periods of non-use orwhile being transported, such as writing implements, in a position readyfor manual retrieval and immediate use. Nevertheless, in variousenvironments where people are moving from different locations on analmost constant basis, such as equipment control rooms or door to doorsales where writing implements are necessary to record data vital tobusiness operations, people are still frequently frustrated at theunavailability of fully adequate writing instrument cases. Consequently,a continuing demand exists for a simple and inexpensive device to securewriting instruments, such as ink pens or pencils, in a case for easystorage, transport, retrieval and use.

[0006] In general, it has been found that currently available writingimplement containers have limited capabilities, in that they are notsized for different types and lengths of writing instruments, and theorientation of the objects being held is not ideal. For example, mostoperating vehicles, such as cars or aircraft, do not have easilyaccessible or even functional pen and pencil holders. Therefore, theoperators of vehicles or aircraft must carry writing utensils in aclothing pocket or briefcase where they can be easily misplaced.Likewise, writing instruments which are carried unsecured or unenclosedon one's person tend to leave pencil or pen marks on one's clothing fromrepeatedly being drawn and inserted into a clothing pocket or briefcasewhich leaves much to be desired in the art. Some writing utensil holdersrequire an exterior pocket large enough to hold the writing instrumentsand container, such as a “pocket protector,” but do not allow for thewriting implements to be contained so as to protect against loss of theimplement or the discharge of ink onto the user's clothing.

[0007] Due to the restricted space available on personal clothing, andthe unique and different pockets available within modern clothing,purse, and briefcase styles with which to adequately store and carrywriting instruments, there remains an ongoing need for a device whichwill readily accommodate writing instruments of various lengths andprovide a safe and secure enclosure which will protect the instrumentson one's person. Moreover, there remains a need for a reliable means oftransporting writing instruments on one's person while they are not inuse which will protect not only the instruments, but the clothing andsurrounding environment of the user from ink discharges or pencil marks.The above as well as additional features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent in the following written detaileddescription.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] To avoid the limitations and problems with present methods ofstoring and transporting writing instruments in shirt and pant pockets,it is an object of the subject invention to completely contain writinginstruments, including the pointed ends of inks pens and mechanical orwooden pencils, within an enclosure that will protect the writinginstruments from adverse environments while not in use. The enclosurewill be dimensioned appropriately to secure and contain writinginstruments of various lengths and include a plurality of oppositefacing wall members, one of which is foldable, that may fold over theopposite wall member to form an enclosure. A fastener will be positionedbelow the opening to the enclosure which will provide for controlledopening and closing of the flap in order to insert or retrieve writinginstruments from the enclosure, as well as change the enclosuredimensions to adjust for writing instruments of various sizes.

[0009] Likewise, another object of the invention is to provide a stylishand appropriately dimensioned enclosure which will additionally protectthe user's clothing from unwanted ink stains or pencil marks. Theinvention may be carried on one's person in a clothing pocket, a purseor briefcase as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention areset forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as wellas a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof,will be best understood by reference to the following detaileddescription of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a top view of the pen pocket device, in the flap openposition, in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention maybe implemented;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top side-view of the pen pocket in the flap closedposition with several writing instruments of various lengths containedwithin the enclosure in which a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention may be implemented; and,

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the pen pocket device in both the openand closed flap position in which a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014]FIG. 1 is a top view of the pen pocket device in which a preferredembodiment of the present invention may be implemented. The pen pocketdevice 100 is made up of a plurality of opposite facing wall members 102and 104, one of which includes a foldable flap. The foldable flap may beopened or closed by Velcro means 106 to form a covered enclosure capableof receiving and containing writing instruments of various lengths.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top view of the pen pocket device 100 shown in theclosed position. Writing instruments 204 are confined within theenclosure formed by wall members 102 and 104 which are coupled togetherby means known generally in the art, including but not limited to,stitching or adhesives. Velcro fastening means 106 are coupled to theinterior side of wall member 104 and to the exterior side of wall member102 in the general locations shown in the attached figures. FIG. 2 alsodisplays the ability of the pen pocket device 100 to contain writinginstruments 204 of various lengths as the foldable portion of wallmember 104 is foldable at various points as a function of the differentlengths of writing instruments 204.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of the pen pocket device 100 shown in boththe open and closed positions. While in the open position, a user mayinsert a plurality of writing instruments 204 into the enclosure formedby wall members 102 and 104, then secure the foldable portion of wallmember 104 in the closed position by Velcro means 106.

[0017] While the invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, the dimensions of the wall members may be changed toincrease or decrease the overall size of the device and accommodatewriting instruments of different lengths and thicknesses. Likewise, thefoldable flap may be secured to the other wall member by a snap, magnetsor a button. Finally, the enclosure may be lined with felt to preventscratching and abrasions to the writing instruments when they areinserted or removed from the device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A writing instrument holder for holding writinginstruments, said holder comprising: a flexible material having at leasttwo opposed wall members for forming at least one enclosure, wherein atleast one of the opposed wall members includes a foldable flap.
 2. Thewriting instrument holder of claim 1 further comprising means forsecuring the foldable flap of one opposed wall member to the oppositewall member.
 3. The writing instrument holder of claim 2 wherein saidfoldable flap adjustably folds to accommodate writing utensils ofdiffering lengths.
 4. The writing instrument holder of claim 2 whereinsaid fastening means comprises Velcro.
 5. The writing instrument holderof claim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises a snap assembly. 6.The writing instrument holder of claim 2 wherein said fastening meanscomprises a button and buttonhole.
 7. The writing instrument holder ofclaim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises at least one magnet.